Qaeda's Zawahri urges revenge over Pakistan mosque

Dubai, July 11: Al Qaeda's second-in command Ayman al-Zawahri, in an Internet recording posted today, called for revenge over a Pakistani government assault on an Islamabad mosque that killed more than 70 Islamists.

''This crime can only be washed by repentance or blood,'' Zawahri said in the tape posted on Web sites used by Islamists.

''If you do not retaliate ... (Pakistani President Pervez) Musharraf will not spare any of you,'' he said, addressing Pakistani Muslims and their clerical leaders.

''Your salvation is only through jihad (holy war). You must now back the mujahideen in Afghanistan,'' said Zawahri in the recording, whose authenticity could not be verified, but which was posted on a Web site used by Islamists.

The recording, produced by al Qaeda's media arm al-Sahab, carried a still photograph of the Egyptian-born cleric wearing a white robe and white turban and English subtitles of his remarks in Arabic.

It was the second taped message from Zawahri issued this week. In a similar video issued yesterday, Zawahri threatened to wage more attacks on Britain, two weeks after failed bombings in London and Glasgow, and criticised Britain's controversial decision to award author Salman Rushdie a knighthood.

Pakistani security forces secured the Lal Masjid, or Red Mosque, and school complex in the Pakistani capital today, snuffing out the last pockets of resistance a day after an assault that killed a rebel cleric and more than 70 supporters.

Many questions were unanswered including the final death toll and whether any women or children had been killed.

REUTERS

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